Job Title: Head of Senior Support Service
Date of Issue: December 2024
Responsible to: COPE Galway Assistant CEO
The ultimate aim of COPE Galway's Senior Support Service is to support healthy independent ageing at home.
We do this by:
1. Delivering and developing a suite of services & supports including:
2. A home delivered meal service suited to the dietary needs of older people and those with chronic illness;
3. A range of community support programmes promoting healthy and independent ageing at home;
4. Supporting communities to promote positive ageing through the development of lunch clubs;
5. Advocating with and on behalf of older people in Galway to support independent and healthy ageing at home.
Overall objectives of the post:
The Head of COPE Galway's Senior Service is responsible for the ongoing management and further development of the range of services and responses of the organisation to the needs of our ageing population in Galway. The post holder shall continuously appraise the developments and functioning of the services, to ensure that they are achieving the best impact, meeting identified needs, and supportive of COPE Galway's strategy and other relevant national strategic policy frameworks. As a member of the Senior Leadership team of COPE Galway, the role involves supporting the overall management and development of the organisation.
Main Responsibilities Of The Post:
The Head of Senior Support Service will:
1. Oversee the delivery and further development of COPE Galway's Senior Support Service focused on identifying and addressing the needs of older people in Galway in the context of the range of other services available.
2. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team of COPE Galway, support the management and development of COPE Galway in achieving its vision and mission with reference to Senior Support Services.
Community Catering & Meals4Health:
Responsibility for the management and delivery of the meals service/ social enterprise rests with the manager of Community Catering.
Main areas of responsibility:
1. Planning and development
2. Financial management
3. Staffing & Volunteers
4. Contingency planning
5. Client support, in ways complimentary to the work of COPE Galway across our Senior Support services.
Community Support Programme:
To work closely with and supervise the work of the manager of the Community Support Programme to ensure:
1. The delivery of services responsive to identified needs.
2. Best impact and reach in our work with clients across all the community support services.
Service Development and inter-agency Liaison:
1. Maintain an overview of the changing needs of Galway's ageing population and understand these needs directly from older people.
2. Contribute to and develop opportunities for older people to advocate for themselves.
3. Promote intergenerational opportunities in support of strong communities.
4. Oversee the implementation and further development of policies, procedures and practices of the services focusing on achieving high standards of service delivery.
5. Support the development of any COPE Galway capital projects relating to older people.
6. Establish, promote and maintain positive working relationships with statutory, voluntary and community groups.
Promotion of services:
1. Ensure a continuous profile for both the issue of positive ageing and COPE Galway's Senior Support Service through internal publications, public awareness activities, and media interviews.
2. Oversee the development and roll out of awareness raising and other campaigns relating to positive ageing.
Staff Leadership:
1. Lead and manage the staff team in the delivery and development of services in accordance with the vision, mission and strategic direction of the organisation.
2. Ensure good communication between staff by holding meetings at regular intervals.
3. Oversee the supervision, support and professional development of the staff involved in the delivery of services.
Finance:
1. Review the funding model to support COPE Galway's Senior Support services.
2. Assume responsibility for the liaison with state funders of our Senior Support service.
3. Set budgets in agreement with the Head of Finance.
Health and Safety:
1. Ensure that best practice in relation to standards of health and safety are maintained.
2. Ensure that systems are in place and adhered to so that Health and Safety procedures are understood by staff, volunteers and clients.
Information Management:
1. Ensure that the necessary administrative and data collection systems are in place and operational.
2. Ensure that data protection and confidentiality policies are adhered to.
General:
1. Participate in supervision provided by the Ass CEO or designated person.
2. Seek support and resolution for any issues arising in your work.
Vision and Mission of COPE Galway:
COPE Galway's vision is a community where every person is valued, cared for, and supported at every stage of life.
Our mission is to make a positive difference by empowering people, creating change and strengthening communities.
Person Specification:
The ideal candidate will be passionate about promoting positive and healthy ageing at home, and committed to advocating strongly towards making Galway a great place in which to grow old. They will have the ability to think big and deliver what is needed, while also managing day-to-day issues.
Essential Criteria:
Education:
3rd level Qualifications in a life science of relevance i.e. Health Promotion, Occupational therapy, community development, Social Sciences or other related areas.
Experience:
1. Minimum of 5 years staff and organisational management experience.
2. Experience of working in the area of healthy independent ageing at home or a related field.
3. Experience of developing and applying best practice in a human services industry context.
Competencies:
1. Is visionary in terms of ambition, and capable of bringing about change incrementally.
2. Strong financial planning and strategic management abilities.
Additional requirements:
1. Garda Clearance
2. A full drivers licence and own transport
3. Good computer skills
Key Terms and Conditions of Employment:
Hours of Work: 37 hrs per week full time role, with flexibility re hours as required.
Place of Work: Based across all relevant services.
Salary Starting at: €77,912 per annum. #J-18808-Ljbffr